Lubricant circulator



Dec. 23, 1958 G. E. RICH 2,865,686

LUBRICANT CIRCULATOR Filed March 9, 195s 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 23, 1958 G. E. RICH 2,865,686

' LUBRICANT CIRCULATOR Fil'ed larch 9, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 23, 1958 G. E. RICH LUBRICANT CIRCULATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 9, 1956 FIG 9 LUBQRHCANT CIRCULATOR George E. Rich, Santa Clara, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Federal-Mogul Bower hearings, llnc., Detroit, Mich., a corporahon of (Jalforniu Application March 9, 1956, Serial No. 570,556

7 11 Claims. (Cl. 308-90) This invention relates to a lubricant circulator particularly adapted for insertion between the lower side of a journal and the bottom of an oil reservoir, usually formed as part of a journal box. More specifically, the lubricant circulator of the present invention is of a type mounted generally parallel to and driven by frictional engagement with the journal to fling and carry oil in the reservoir onto the journal.

Although the novel lubricant circulator herein disclosed is of general application to a great variety of journals, it is particularly well suited as a lubricant circulator for rail car truck journals. Therefore, as a specific illustration of its uniqueand highly advantageous features, the invention will be discussed principally in the light of the experience gained from this particular application. However, the invention is not limited solely to railway journal uses. r

The rail car trucks support each end of the car on two pairs of wheels integral with their axles, whose journals project out at opposite ends from the Wheel out:r

faces. The body of the car is supported on these journals i may actually ignite the lubricant and cause a serious fire.

Many types of oil circulators have been proposed and put into use but none has heretofore achieved a fully satisfactory solution to the lubrication problem. Wicktype lubricant feeders using cotton waste, etc., to convey oil from the reservoir to the journal were long in use, but because of their many well-known disadvantages they are being replaced today. A newer type of lubricant circulator, much better than the wick-type, employs a plurality of sets of grooved rollers, each set carrying an endless synthetic rubber belt. The rollers are in contact with and are rotated by the journal to move the belt around. As the belt moves at a fast rate it picks up oil from the oil reservoir and fiings it against the journal and the surrounding area. A serious disadvantage of this type of oil circulator is that sometimes the endless belt broke, and there was no lubrication of the journal. When this has happened, the journal has been damaged and the bearing destroyed. The trouble was that even if the belt was perfect, without any scratches or weak portionsa difiicuit enough task-and even if it was adequately protected from attack by ozone and other agents that tend to damage it, still it was likely to be broken due to mishandling or other factors. In any event, the destruction of these belts has become a serious problem.

2,8656% Patented Dec. 23, 1958 ice One object of the present invention is to provide a beltless' oil lubricator that fiings the oil with even greater effectiveness than an endless belt.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rugged, relatively fool-proof lubricant circulator for railway journal boxes, not subject to damage by mishandling or to breakage of belts and similar delicate elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide for improved lubrication of railway journals by means of a novel type of journal-driven disc-shaped oil circulator that carries and flings the oil on the journals in substantial volume.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rail-- way journal lubricant circulator which will operate successfully at both very low and very high temperatures beyond those normally encountered at both ends of the range. As a result of the achievement of this object, the railway journals are assured of proper lubrication in both hot and cold weather.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lubri cant circulator which begins to carry and fling oil on the journal unusually soon after the train commences to move. One objection to previous types of lubricant circulators has been the slowness with which the oil film was applied to the journal. In many cases (for example, where the oil was frozen or nearly frozen, or otherwise unusually stiff) the oil had to get warm, and the journals ot'ten got close to or even beyond the danger point before the lubricant began to circulate. With the present invention, the oil circulation begins very SOOn, even in the coldest weather. In fact, tests at 60 below zero show that it takes less than a minute for the film of oil to form under these extreme conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lubricant circulator which can easily be adapted to equipment already in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lubricant circulator that can be put in and taken out of the journal boxes without having to completely disassemble the boxes. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel type of lubricant circulator that will not be damaged by normal train operation or servicing, such as jacking the journal box, and will not, in turn, damage any of the other parts of the journal box assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new type of lubricant'circulator which has a positive operation so that when it is in place it must necessarily oper ate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a type of lubricant circulator that operates in spite of a wide range of tolerances in journals. For example, the normal distance between the bottom of the journal box and the bottom of the journal is approximately 2%". However, due to various factors in operation, various manufacturers and manufacturing tolerances, this height varies plus or minus inch. Heretofore, most lubricant circulators have had to add complicated spring arrangements in order to compensate for these unduly large tolerances. However, the present invention provides for adequate lubrication without the use of any spring. A further object, therefore, of the invention is to provide for a springless lubricant circulator still able to accommodate the wide variations in spacing between the journals and bottom of journal boxes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lubricant circulator of a very simple and inexpensive construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof presented in accordance with 35 USC 112.

In general, it may be stated that the circulator of the present invention comprises a pluraiity of resilient discs preferably mounted on a pair of shafts with their axes parallel.

The discs are adapted to be deflected by the journal but, because of their resilient construction, are able to straighten out substantially as they pass through the oil reservoir and rolling and convey oil on the journal. Their deflection by the journal gives them a driving contact with the journal, apparently due partly to the coefficient of friction of the resilient material, that assures operation over a wide range of journal-to-box-'bottom distances. The resilient discs are preferably of a novel configuration comprising a radially outer portion with substantially parallel sides, a radially inner tapered portion which is frusto-conical (though the sides diverge at a very small angle), and a wide hub portion which is mounted around a bushing of bearing material such as nylon. The discs and bushings are mounted on shafts, preferably of metal, which in turn are journaled in a novel rigid bracket that is easily and readily insertable into a journal box. Further understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following description in connection with 'the following drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view in elevation and partly in section of a railway truck journal housing showing an oil cir culator embodying the principles of the present invention installed therein.

Fig. 2 is a view in section taken along the line 2, 2 in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the oil circulator unit itself.

Fig. 4 is a view in end elevation of the circulator of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the same circulator.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the same circulator.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view in perspective and in section of one half of one of the circulator discs mounted on its bushing.

Fig. 8 is a view in section of the nylon bushing.

Fig. 9 is enlarged fragmentary view in e evation and in section of the anchoring of the shaft that supports the circulator discs.

Fig. 10 is a view in elevation and in sectionof a modified form of oil circulator disc assembly comprising a unitary multi-disc construction.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a journal box or housing H of the tyne normally used in railway cars and usually cast from steel or iron to provide an enclosure for a truck journal I that projects trunnion-fashion from the outer face of each truck wheel (not shown). interposed bet een the top side of the journal I and the top wall T of the housing H are a bearing brass B and locking wedge W. The remaining principal components of the assembly comprise a pair of guard bearings G which form a U-shaoed b rrier between the journal I and the sides and lower half of the housing H to restrict the movement of the journal relative to its housing, a lubricant seal (not sho nl contained in a recess provided in portion R of the housing H, and a lid L which may be opened to expose the o ening 0 through which the circulator C embodying this invention, and other units. are installed inside the journal housing H without having to disassemble it. As shown in Fig. 2,

the journal housing H is generally U-shaped in crosssection, the journal I projecting into it: throu h a pair of large-diameter openings in the rear end wall and being substantially totally enclosed by the housing H. A heavy thrust flange 10 at the forward or outer end of the journal provides a stop against which the front end 11 of the brass B abuts during operation of the car. The features described so far provide the environment for the circulator C but are not themselves part of the present invention.

' The lubricant circulator generally denominated C comprises a frame generally U-shaped, as seen in Fig. 6,

to provide a horizontal base portion 21 and two vertical side flanges 22 and 23. A pair of openings 24 (Figs. 4 and 9) are provided through each flange 22 and 23 to serve as supports for suitable shaft members 25 which may be simply cylindrical steel members. Normally, the shafts 25 are stationary though they may be rotatable if desired. Preferably, an annular key rib 26 is provided in the openings 24 in one flange 22 to engage an annular groove 27 in the shaft 25, or other keeping means may be used.

The base 21 is provided with a central opening 29, (Fig. 6), preferably rectangular in shape. A supporting member, pedestal or locating block 30 is preferably welded at 31 on the bottom of the journal housing H. At the upper end of the block 30 a table-like flange portion or plate 32 overhan s on both the sides and both ends (Figs. 1 and 5). This table-like plate 32 is preferably about the same width as the opening 29, but is some what longer. The circulator C can be installed from above by tilting it an an angle, and then. after it has passed the plate 32, moving it forward and ti ting it back until it is substantially upright. When installed (see Fig. 2), the edges 33, 34 of the bracket base 21 engage the curved walls of the journal housing H and so support it above the bottom of that housing.

On each of the two shafts 25 are provided at least one and preferably several flexible flinger discs that pick up oil from the reservoir constituted by the housing H and fling it against the rotating journal I. The normal static oil level is shown at h in Fig. 1; during operation the oil is displaced somewhat adjacent the flingers. Each flinger disc 40 is supported on a bushing 41 of suitable bearing material. preferably nylon. Preferably, the bushing 41 is generally cylindrical, as shown in Figs. 7 and 10, with a cylindrical opening 42 therethrough, with ribs 43 provided around its circumference at each end, and a pair of disc-driving ribs 44 extending generally axially leaving the two semi-circular recesses 45 between the ribs 43 and 44.

Each flinger di c 40 may be molded in placeabout the bushing 41 or it may be se arately molded and pre sed thereon to provide a good driving enga ement by filling the recesses 45. Each disc 40 has a thick central hub portion 46 overlying the bushing recess 45 and filling it and thinner end hub portions 47 that terminate at 48 flush wi'h the radial ends 49 of the bushing 41. Each disc has a radially outer pcrtion 50 where the side faces 51 and 52 are preferably parallel to each other and are generally perpendicular to the outer peripheral edge 53. Between the portion 50 and the hub 46. the disc 40 preferably has a frusto-conical portion 54 whose side faces 55 and 56 diverge toward the hub. The portion 54, being thicker than the portion 50, stiflens it and ensures driving friction without slipping; its thickness is moderate. however, relative to the portion 50, to prevent undue stiflness that would result in the bushing 41 skidding on the shaft 25 within the range of operating deflection. A divergence of each face 55, 56 from the faces 51 and 52 of as little as 1 has important effects, while in some materials a divergence of 5 is excessive.

The exact shape and proportions of the disc 40 and bushing 41 depend upon several fac ors which should all be considered for any given application. For one thing, there are the low temperature characteristics desired. The device illustrated is designed to give satisfactory performance at temperatures as low as -60 F. An increase or decrease in the minimum temperature conditions with which it is to operate will affect the proportions of the various portions of the disc 40. High temperature conditions must also be considered. Similarly, the type of lubricating oil to be used affects the design. If the oil were of higher viscosity than that normally used, the disc 40 might be somewhat thicker, other things being equal, in order to be able to get sufflcient drive from the journal I to rotate through the more viscous oil and tling it. Finally, the rubber composition itself is a very important factor in determining the proportions of the disc 40. Preferably, for railroad uses, a Buna-N type rubber is suitable modified in conformance with normal practice in the rubber industry to provide desired characteristics. Other types of-elastomers or other materials may be used where conditions are different or where they can be made to fit these conditions.

In a standard journal box having the nominal 2%" clearance between the box bottom and the journal bottom but with the normal variance or tolerance at plus or minus H these discs 40 may be approximately 3 in diameter. Their width at their periphery 53 is about The outer circumference of the tapered portion 40 lies at a diameter of about 1 /8", diverging 2 to a base portion 57 about A" thick. The hub portion 46, 47 is about /4 in diameter.

As shown in the drawings, it is preferable to use a plurality of discs 40 on each shaft 25. They may be a series of separate units as shown in Figs. 3 to 6, or they may comprise an integral unit 60 as shown in Fig. 10 mounted on an integral bushing 61. The bushings 61 may be integral with separate discs mounted on them, and other changes of this type may be made. Separate flingers 40 as shown in Figs. 3 6 have the advantage of independence, and if anything should bind one disc 40 against rotation it would not affect the remaining discs 40. Integral discs 60 have the advantage of combined torque and increased driving friction so that two discs can turn a third onethat might tend to slip.

As stated earlier, the disc 40 may be molded around the bushing 41. This accomplishes several things. For one thing, a plastic bushing such as nylon is preferably heat-treated after it has been injection molded or other wise fabricated, in order to relieve the inherent stresses built up during fabrication. This relief can be obtained by molding the rubber member 40 around the bushing 41 at a temperature suitable for heat treatment for stress relief. This happens to be the normal molding temperature for most suitable oil-resistant rubbers. Therelore, a separate heat treatment operation can be omitted. The bushings-41 may be bonded to the rubber disc 40, but bonding is not necessary. The molding of the disc 40 around the bushing 41 assures its proper engagement with the'driving ribs 44. Even if there were no ribs 44, the fact that the rubber shrinks on the bushing and that the coefficient of friction between the nylon and rubber is greater than that between nylon and steel would be suflicent to cause the nylon bushing 41 to rotate about the shaft 25 instead of the rubber disc 40 rotating around the nylon bushing 41. The keying ribs 44, if used, constitute a safety measure.

An essential thing in this oil circulator is to provide a sufficient driving engagement with the journal. For this reason the disc and journal should have a satisfactory driving .friction in the presence of oil. It should be operative within the 40 F. and 250 F. oil temperature and tests have shown that, in fact, the oil circulator C shown in Figs. 3 to 6 has given satisfactory operation at all temperatures between 70 F. and over 350 F.

Also, the disc should possess flexibility and elasticity; otherwise, if the material takes a 100% compression set in the shape shown in Fig. l, improper action would obviously be obtained and its flinging action would be greatly lessened. However, by using the suitable elastic material described, the flinging action is extremely good. The substantial deflection of the discs 40 shown in Fig. l is typical, though it may be somewhat less than this. As a matter of fact, a deflection of less than 35 has given satisfactory results, but because of the tolerance problem the normal deflection is substantially greater than this.

In operation, the installed circulator C is in driving engagement by the journal I as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the journal I begins rotating, thefriction of the journal I against the rubber discs 40 drives them and immediately the movement of the discs 40 has been accelerated to the place where it carries oil up on the journal I and lubricates it. Even though the oil is also on the rubber members, the coeflicient of friction of this elastomeric material is such that it will still seize and remain in driving engagement with the journal J and will not slip unduly. The discs 40 rotate very rapidly as the journal speed is increased and the flinging is increased substantially. Almost immediately the journal 1 surface is completely covered with oil, and this oil bath is maintained from then on during the motion of the car lubricating the brass B, the thrust surfaces of the journal J, brass B, and wedge W, the guard bearing G, and all the other components involved.

The quantity of oil circulated is much greater than that circulated by previous lubricatorsbeing more than 300% as much per minute as the amount circulated by the best lubricator heretofore known, and in some tests exceeding 500% as much. This increased oil circulation is a prime advantage of the invention, for the amount of oil circulated determines the heat dissipation of the journal, since oil is a poor heat conductor. As a result of its increased operating efficiency, the lubricant circulator of the present invention has lowered the operating temperature of the journal by as much as 30 F. in comparison with journals having the most efficient circulator heretofore known.

Also, increased oil circulation reduces the thermal breakdown of the oil, a serious problem heretofore, and thereby increases both the life and the wearing qualities of the lubricant. This reduction of oil breakdown also greatly increases the life of the synthetic rubber components of the journal assembly-the discs 40, the rubber-covered guard bearings G, the oil seal (not shown), and otli'er elements.

Obviously, the belt breakage problem iseliminated. The need for springs is also eliminated. The inherent resiliency of the discs 40 giving the necessary pressure. The installation over a pedestal 30 is very simple and does not require disassembly of the box H once the pedestal 30 is in place. Similarly, should anything damage a disc 40 it is rapidly replaced.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many additional changes in construction and widely differing embodiments of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A lubricant circulator for use in railway journal housings and the like comprising a generally U-shaped frame adapted to be fixedly mounted in a journal housing; a plurality of shaft means parallel to each other extending across and fixedly supported by said frame; bushing means rotatably mounted on each of said shaft means; and flexible disc means supported by each bushmg, said disc means being constructed from elastomeric material and adapted to flex substantially so as to provide a direct frictional driving engagement with the journal whereby rotation of the journal rotates said disc means directly.

2. A lubricant circulator for use in railway journal housings and the like comprising a generally U-shaped frame adapted to be fixedly mounted in a journal housing and having openings therethrough, a pair of shafts parallel to each other extending across said frame through said openings, a plurality of bushings mounted rotatably on each said shaft, and a flexible disc supported by each bushing, said disc being constructed from elastomeric material and adapted to flex substantially so as to provide a frictional direct driving engagement with the journal whereby rotation of the journal directly rotates said discs.

3. A lubricant circulator for use in railway journal housings and the like comprising ajgenerally U-shaped frame having a horizontal base with a keying hole therethrough and apair of sides with openings therethrough,

a pair of shafts parallel to each other extending across said frame through said openings, a plurality of nylon bushings mounted rotatably on each said shaft, each bushing having annular ribs at each end defining an annular recess between them and axial ribs dividing said recess; and a disc molded on each bushing and having a hub portion filling said recess in driving; engagement with said axial ribs and having an outer thin portion with parallel sides, and an annular portion between said outer portion and said hub portion with sides that diverge, moving apart radially inwardly, with discs being constructed from oil-resistant elastomeric material and adapted to flex substantially so as to provide a driving engagement with the journal whereby rotation of the journal rotates said discs.

4. In a railway truck journal assembly wherein a rotating journal is housed in a journal box, the lower. portion of which constitutes an oil reservoir, the improvement comprising the combination therewith of locating means secured to said box adjacent the bottom of said reservoir;

a U-shaped frame having a base plate and vertical side.

plates, said base plate ha in an opening adapted to fit around said locating means; a pair of spaced-apart parallel shafts supported between said side plates generally parallel to the axis of said journal; bushing means supported on each said shaft; and a plurality of disc means supported on said bushing means, said disc means comcomprising the combination therewith of a pedestal welded to said box' at the bottom of said reservoir and projecting upwardly; a U-shaped frame having a horizontal base plate and vertical side plates, said base plate having an opening adapted to receive said pedestal and enable installation and removal of said frame thereon; a pair of stationary spaced-apart parallel shafts supported between said side plates generally parallel to the axis of said journal; a plurality of bushings supported on each said shaft for free rotation; and a plurality of discs supported on and keyed to each said bushing; each said disc comprising elastomeric oil-resistant flexible material with a relatively high coeificient of friction relative to the journal metal anda wider radius than the distance from said shafts to the surface of said journal, so that said discs are deflected into driving engagement with said journal, and rotation of said journal directly causes rotation of said discs, flinging oil from said reservoir on said journal.

6. In a railway truck journal assembly wherein a rotating journal is housed in a journal box, the lower portion of which constitutes an oil reservoir, the improvement comprising the combination therewith of a rectangular pedestal welded to said box at the bottom of said reservoir and projecting upwardly, said pedestal having an overhanging rectangular plate thereon, a U-shaped frame having a horizontal base plate and vertical side plates, said base plate having a rectangular opening adapted to fit around said pedestal and enable installation and removal of said frame thereon; a pair of stationary -spaced-apart parallel shafts supported between said side plates and extending through openings therethrough so as to extend generally parallel to the axis of said journal; a plurality of nylon bushings supported for free rotation on each said shaft, each said bushing having an outer non-round keying surface; and a plurality of discs, each molded on and keyed to one said bushing, each said disc comprising elastomeric oil-resistant flexible synthetic rubber with a relatively high coeflicient of friction relative to the journal metal and a wider radius than the distance from said shafts to the surface of said journal, each disc having a hub portion coterminous with and sur-. rounding said bushing, a portion extending out therefrom generally radially with sides that partially converge and an outer portion with parallel sides, whereby deflection of said disc means brings about a driving engagement with said journal, and rotation of said journal causes rotation of said discs, flinging oil from said reservoir on said journal.

7. In a railway truck journal assembly wherein s ro tating journal is housed'in a journal box, the lower wall portion of which constitutes an oil reservoir, the improvement comprising the combination therewith of axle means fixedly mounted on said wall portion below said journal, and flexible disc means mounted on said axle means for rotation thereon and in frictional driving contact with said journal, said disc means being flexed by said journal for direct rotation thereby and said journal providing the sole drive for rotating said disc means.

8. In a railway truck journal assembly wherein a ro-' tating journal is housed in a journal box, the lower wall portion of which constitutes an oil reservoir, the improvement comprising the combination therewith of a pair of parallel axles fixedly mounted on said wall portion below and parallel to the axis of said journal, and a plurality of rotatable resilient disc means mounted rotatably on said axles and in frictional driving contact with said journal, said disc means being flexed by said journal for direct rotation thereby and said journal providing the sole drive for rotating said disc means.

9. A lubricant circulator for a journal comprising a journal, a housing for said journal, a pair of parallel axles spaced apart below and parallel to said journal and fixedly mounted in said housing; a plurality of bushings mounted rotatably on each axle; and at least one resilient disc mounted for rotation on each bushing, said discs being flexed by said journal into frictional driving contact with it, said journal providing the sole drive for rotating said discs.

10. A lubricant circulator for use in railway journal housings and the like comprising a frame, a pair of shafts parallel to each other extending across said frame, a plurality of bushings mounted rotatably on each said shaft, each bushing having annular ribs at each end defining an annular recess between them and axial ribs dividing said recess; and a disc molded on each bushing and having a hub portion filling said recess in driving engagement with said axial ribs and having an outer thin portion with parallel sides, and an annular portion between said outer portion and said hub portion with sides that diverge, moving apart radially inwardly, said discs being constructed from oil-resistant elastomeric material and adapted to flex substantially so as to provide a driving engagement with the journal whereby rotation of the journal rotates said discs.

11. In a railway truck journal assembly wherein a rotating journal is housed in a journal-box, the lower portion of which constitutes an oil reservoir, the improvement comprising the combination therewith of a pedestal welded to said box at the bottom of said reservoir and projecting upwardly, said pedestal having an overhanging plate thereon, a U-shaped frame having a horizontal base plate and vertical side plates, said base plate having an opening adapted to fit around said pedestal and enable installation and removal of said frame thereon; a pair of stationary spaced-apart parallel shafts supported between said side plates and extending .through openings therethrough so as to extend generally parallel 'to the axis of said journal; a plurality of bushings supported for free rotation on each said shaft, each said bushing having an outer non-round keying surface; and a plurality of discs, each molded on and keyed to one said bushing, each said disc comprising elastomeric oil-resistant flexible synthetic rubber with a relatively high coefficient of friction relative to the journal metal and a wider radius than the distance from said shafts to the surface of said journal, each disc having a hub portion coterminous with and surrounding said bushing, a portion extending out there- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS.

Patten Apr. 23, 1895 Maness Oct. 6, 1908 Johnson et a1. Aug. 7, 1956 Klingler Aug. 14, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Apr. 26, 19 21 

